A laparoscopic surgical training and accreditation program up and running

Beginning in March 1997, a training and accreditation program in laparoscop ic surgery was established at our hospital according to the training guidel ines provided by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrici ans and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) (1, 2). Registrars were accredited upon sa tisfactory completion of supervised surgery at each training level. Consult ants seeking clinical privileges in advanced laparoscopic surgery were aske d to submit a formal application. By August 1998, 143 minor laparoscopic pr ocedures had been formally assessed resulting in 8 of 9 registrars successf ully completing training to level 2 laparoscopy. Thirty-three of 83 (39.8%) advanced laparoscopic procedures were directly supervised and an experienc ed laparoscopic surgeon was available, if required, for a further 15 proced ures. Two consultants undertook additional supervised training before being granted full accreditation for level 3 laparoscopic procedures. Another 2 consultants have been given provisional accreditation for level 3 procedure s. Although challenging, implementation of the RANZCOG guidelines on traini ng and accreditation in laparoscopic surgery is quite possible. Greater eff orts should be undertaken to establish these guidelines as the 'gold standa rd' for hospital accreditation committees.